Head of Sales in London

Amber Beverage UK is a leading UK route to market and brand building partner for premium and super premium drinks brands across grocery, wholesale, convenience, specialist retail, e-commerce and on trade. We combine national sales coverage with brand activation, marketing support and commercial execution to help brands grow in the UK market. We put the consumer at the heart of everything we do, combining insight led brand building with strong customer partnerships and commercial execution across every channel.

Our portfolio combines established international brands with ambitious incubator brands across premium and super premium spirits, wine, non alcoholic and functional drinks. Key brands include Stoli, elit Vodka, Rooster Rojo, Fortaleza, El Tequileño, The Irishman, Flor de Caña, Portobello Road Gin, Lind & Lime Gin, ODK, Three Spirit and Faustino, one of the largest Rioja brands in the UK market.

Our Field Sales Team is responsible for turning commercial and brand strategy into execution within outlets across the UK market. Working across both on trade and off trade channels, the team plays a key role in driving distribution, cocktail listings, menu presence, activation and rate of sale for our brands. The team works closely with customers, wholesalers, operators and bartender communities to strengthen brand presence, drinks recommendation and in outlet standards across the market.

As the business continues to grow, we are looking to further strengthen our field capabilities, customer influence and commercial impact across the UK market.

The Role

We are looking for a commercially driven Head of Field Sales to lead Amber Beverage UK’s national field sales team across the UK. Reporting into the Sales Director, this role leads a team of 9 field sales professionals operating across both on trade and off trade channels. The field sales team plays a critical role in turning commercial and brand strategy into execution within outlet, helping drive distribution, cocktail listings, menu presence, activation and rate of sale across the UK market.

This role is responsible for building a high performance culture focused on energy, accountability, commercial delivery and high standards across the market. You will lead from the front, spending regular time in trade alongside the team while coaching, developing and helping raise performance across the business. Working closely with Brand, Marketing and Route to Market teams, you will help ensure brand plans are delivered to a high standard within outlet while supporting wider commercial priorities across the business.

A key part of the role will be strengthening relationships across wholesalers, operators and customer field teams to improve cocktail adoption, menu presence, brand presence and activation standards for Amber Beverage UK brands. The successful candidate will combine strong commercial leadership with analytical thinking, coaching capability and a genuine passion for brands, cocktails and consumer execution. National travel is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, inspire and develop a national field sales team across the UK
• Create a high performance culture built around accountability, pace, ownership and commercial delivery
• Set clear expectations, KPIs and performance standards across the field team
• Lead from the front with regular in trade coaching and customer engagement
• Develop the team’s capability across commercial selling, cocktails, activation and outlet standards
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching sessions and development planning
• Recruit, retain and develop high calibre field sales talent
• Lead regular team meetings focused on performance, best practice and field standards
• Commercial Execution
• Deliver distribution, outlet presence and rate of sale growth across key brands and channels
• Deliver against agreed field KPIs and commercial objectives across the UK market
• Drive high quality standards across both on premise and off premise outlets
• Improve cocktail listings, menu placements, back bar presence, feature displays and activation standards across key customers
• Ensure field activity is aligned to wider commercial objectives and brand plans
• Support successful launch and activation activity across new and existing brands
• Identify opportunities to grow distribution and outlet presence across wholesale, convenience, regional groups and independent customers
• Build strong relationships across customers, wholesalers, operators and field sales networks to strengthen drinks recommendation, outlet presence and engagement for Amber Beverage UK brands
• Brand Building & Activation
• Work closely with Brand and Marketing teams to translate brand plans into standout in outlet activity
• Deliver activation, tastings and staff engagement activity across key customers and channels
• Support cocktail adoption, drinks recommendation and consumer engagement across priority brands
• Ensure in outlet activity reflects brand positioning and premium standards
• Data, Insight & Performance
• Use sales data, field insight and category trends to drive team focus, prioritisation and commercial performance
• Track distribution, activation and field performance across the UK market
• Analyse field performance and ROI to identify opportunities and improve effectiveness
• Build clear reporting standards and KPI visibility across the field team
• Use insight led selling stories to strengthen customer engagement and commercial delivery

Experience & Skills

• Proven experience leading high performing field sales teams within the drinks industry
• Strong understanding of UK on trade and off trade channels
• Commercially driven with strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience building high performing field teams within premium branded businesses
• Strong understanding of cocktails, drinks strategy and consumer led selling
• Excellent coaching and people development capability
• Experience working cross functionally with sales, marketing and brand teams
• Strong commercial planning and organisational skills
• Comfortable operating within a fast paced entrepreneurial environment
• Full UK driving licence required

The Type of Person We’re Looking For

• Strong leader who leads by example
• Commercially driven and highly accountable
• Analytical and insight led in decision making
• Passionate about brands, cocktails and consumer execution
• Hands on in the field and close to customers
• Strong coach who develops people and improves performance
• High standards around execution and professionalism
• Resilient, energetic and comfortable operating at pace
• Strong relationship builder internally and externally

Package

• Competitive salary
• Performance related bonus of up to 20%
• Car allowance
• Private healthcare
• 25 days holiday
• Company pension
• Product allowance
• Career development opportunities within a growing international business